What to See and Do

Crook Making Demonstration

TBC

Farm Tour

A forty five minute farm tour of Aikengall on tractors and trailers will be a highlight of the event to see the sheep and cattle on this Lammermuirs hills farm The farm tour runs from 9am to 3pm and a farm tour guide will be available for all visitors.

Fencing Competition 

Fencing contractors will put their skills to the test, when they compete in a competition sponsored by Bryce Suma Post Drivers, Robertson Timber and Tornado Wire.

Up to eight two-man teams will be tasked with erecting a section of high tensile stock netting (60-70 metres in length), with two end straining posts and a slight turn towards one end within the three and a half hours allocated. 

The competition begins at 10.30am and finishes at  2.00pm, with the prize giving and award ceremony taking place at 3.30pm on the main stage in the seminar building. 

More Information is available by clicking Here

Lamb Butchery & Cookery Demonstration

TBC

NSA Next Generation Shepherd of the Year Competition

The competition is designed to test their practical skills and practical knowledge used in their every-day work with sheep, as well as their broader knowledge of the sheep industry throughout the UK and Europe, including the various sheep breeds. (The competition is being held on Tuesday 4th June 2024 and is not open to visitors).

The winner and runner up will have the honour of representing Scotland in the national finals at the NSA National Sheep event at Malvern on 30th July 2024.

The presentation of prizes will take place a 3.30pm on Wednesday 5th June

More Information and entry forms are available by clicking Here Entries close on Friday 3rd May. 

Opening Ceremony

The event will be officially opened at 10am in the seminar building - Introduction by Colin Mcphail, NSA Scotsheep 2024 Organising Committee Chairman, Official Opening (guest TBC) & Presentation of NSA Scotland Silver Salver followed by presentation of best trade stand competition awards.

Seminars

The NSA Scotsheep seminar programme always provides a line-up of interesting speakers and relevant topics. Seminars will see farmers and industry spokesmen put forward their opinions and experiences, with plenty of time in each session for the audience to engage in discussion and debate.

In addition to the seminars there will be a workshop programme running through the day.

See seminar topics, speakers and timetable by clicking Here

Sheep Dog Trial Invitational Competition

Top handlers will be competing in an invitation sheepdog trial which will be one of the highlights of the event. Most of the competitors from  the Lothians and Borders will compete individually for the NSA Scotland Shield.

The trial will be judged by  (TBC).

Sheep Dressing Demonstration

See how to prepare a sheep for a show or sale with this sheep dressing demonstrations that will take place periodically throughout the day.

Sheep Shearing Demonstrations & Quickshear Competition

Sheep shearing demonstrations will run from 10am to 2pm, every hour on the hour for ten minutes.

From 2.30pm to 4pm thirty sheep shearers will compete in the Quickshear competition to be held at the event, with two competitors at a time shearing a sheep and timed. The four fastest competitors who will be judged, like all the competitors beforehand, will not only be timed but also on the presentation of the sheep and will enter a semi-final, followed by a final.

All competitors will receive a sponsor’s branded singlet with the winner receiving an engraved rose bowl and £100, with the runner up receiving prize money of £75 and the two losing semi-finalists receiving £50 each.

Show & Sale Pair of Ewe Hoggs

Top-quality ewe hoggs from well-known breeders across the country will be forward for the multi-breed show and sale of ewe hoggs conducted by United Auctions. 

Nine classes will be on offer for Bluefaced Leicester, Mules, North Country Cheviot, Blackface, Suffolk, Texel, any other native breed, any other continental breed and any other cross breed, with both MV accredited and non-accredited sheep eligible for sale. 

If sheep cannot be uplifted by purchasers on the day, it is hoped that arrangements can be made for buyers to collect their purchases from the premises of the vendor within 14 days. 

More Information is available by clicking Here

Stockjudging

An open and YFC stockjudging competition on behalf of the event, with visitors having to judge four classes of sheep from Aikengall Farm. £500 of prize money is on offer Entry on the day is £5.   

Trade Stands - Comercial & Educational

Over 170 commercial companies and educational organisations will be promoting their products and services at the event, showcasing all the latest developments in technology, husbandry, and marketing to help farmers maximise the potential of their sheep enterprises.

See who is exhibiting by clicking Here

Trade Stands - Individual Sheep Breeders 

Individual sheep breeders and companies will be promoting their sheep and genetics at the event. 

See who is exhibiting by clicking Here

Trade Stands - Sheep Breed Societies

Sheep breed societies will be promoting their breed of sheep and genetics at the event. 

See who is exhibiting by clicking Here

Workshops

There are two dedicated workshop areas at the event with a range of topics and speakers providing an even better opportunity to gain practical, hands-on advice and tips. 

Workshops are slightly smaller and more informal than the seminars, with the intention of people getting involved, asking questions, and making the most of the experts on hand. 

See workshop topics, speakers and timetable by clicking Here

Wool – All Things Woolie

A dedicated area where the sheep shearing is taking place will feature wool demonstrations, including excellent fleece presentation and how to maximise the value of your wool by British Wool as well as wool spinning, weaving and felt making demonstration periodically throughout the day.

Schoolchildren get a better understanding of where wool comes from
Schoolchildren get a better understanding of where wool comes from